UNODC World Drug Report 2023 warns of converging crises as illicit drug markets continue to expand

Source: The post is based on the article “UNODC World Drug Report 2023 warns of converging crises as illicit drug markets continue to expand” published in UN on 29th June 2023

What is the News?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released the World Drug Report 2023.

What are the key findings of the World Drug Report 2023?

Globally, over 296 million people used drugs in 2021, an increase of 23 percent over the previous decade. 

The number of people who suffer from drug use disorders has reached 39.5 million, a 45 percent increase over 10 years.

Only one in five people suffering from drug-related disorders were in treatment for drug use in 2021 with widening disparities in access to treatment across regions.

Youth populations are the most vulnerable to using drugs and are also more severely affected by substance use disorder in several regions. 

Large inequalities in access and availability of controlled drugs for medical use persist, particularly for pain management. The disparity is particularly prevalent between the global North and South, and across urban and rural areas.

Drug trafficking is accelerating environmental devastation, particularly in the Amazon Basin. The production of illicit drugs contributes to deforestation, pollution, and the use of harmful chemicals, leading to ecological harm and the loss of biodiversity.

The opium ban in Afghanistan had a positive result, but concerns remain about the production of synthetic drugs. However, farmers’ income has suffered in Afghanistan due to the Opium ban by the Taliban.

What are the key recommendations given by the report?

Public health, prevention, and access to treatment services must be prioritized worldwide.

Law enforcement forces need to keep pace with criminal business models and the proliferation of cheap synthetic drugs that are easy to bring to market.